Hike in blood tranfusion fee a pain for hospitals

JAKARTA (JP): The city chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI Jakarta) will increase its service cost for blood transfusions because most of the materials and equipment used are imported.

"The average cost is Rp 35,000 (US$5) per vial of blood. We propose a raise to an average cost of Rp 45,000 per vial," deputy chairwoman Ulla Nuchrawaty said at a discussion to announce the plan on Thursday.

Service costs are currently Rp 17,500 for government hospitals and Rp 52,500 for private institutions. The margin is designated as a cross-subsidy for lower income people.

"With the increase, the new costs will be Rp 22,500 for government hospitals and Rp 67,500 for private hospitals per blood vial," Ulla said.

Auda Azis from PMI Jakarta said most equipment used in blood transfusions was imported.

"We still import reagents, which are used to check the blood is free of syphilis, hepatitis B and C and HIV."

She said PMI Jakarta did not have the funds to obtain the equipment.

"With the current budget, PMI Jakarta is bearing a deficit of Rp 210 million per month."

She said PMI Jakarta's perpetual fund was Rp 4.3 billion.

"Even if we use the perpetual fund, PMI can only cover the service costs for the next three months."

The planned increase was challenged by chairman of the Indonesian Health Consumer Empowerment Foundation (YPKKI), Marius Widjajarta.

"Most patients no longer have the ability to pay for the current service cost," he said.

"The government should postpone the plan and find donors to finance the service."

A member of the medical staff at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM), Supardi, also objected to the plan, saying the hospital was unable to pay most of the service cost.

"For thalassemia and hemophilia patients alone, we have to spend about Rp 40 million a month." He said an increase would further burden the hospital.

PMI argued that it was in a difficult position because most of the hospitals in the capital were behind in payments. RSCM, for example, has reportedly paid Rp 700 million of its Rp 2.2 billion debt for blood transfusion service costs.

Marius blamed several private hospitals for charging rates much higher than the average.

"I have received reports that the cost can reach Rp 90,000. This is outrageous," he said.

Ulla urged the government to pay serious attention to the problem and explore the possibility of establishing local production of the necessary equipment. (05)